Action call: Potholes to dark alleys

Lights
missing
on major stretches

LELIN KUMAR MALLICK

Bhubaneswar, Aug. 1: A number of thoroughfares, including the newly constructed bypass road on Bhubaneswar-Puri NH-203, Badagada-Lakshmisagar Canal Road, Fire Station-Ganganagar Road and Jagamara-City Women’s College Road, have become a nightmare for commuters because of defunct street lights.

Besides, many arterial roads in the city also do not have street lights. This raises the chances of road mishaps and incidents of snatching, especially at night.

Similarly, commuters are finding it difficult to negotiate the stretch during heavy rainfall. Other roads that are not properly lit include the one passing in front of the BDA-Nicco Park and another connecting Apollo Hospital and Doordarshan Kendra.

Apart from incidents of snatching, criminals can also be spotted consuming liquor on these stretches. Police commissioner R.P. Sharma said traffic management had been affected on some stretches due to defunct street lights.

“We would shortly convene a meeting with the authorities concerned to arrange adequate street lighting along the city roads,” said Sharma. The bypass from Saptasati temple was opened to reduce traffic burden on NH-203, which passes through the city. However, most of the vehicles going towards Puri are not considering the bypass safe because of inadequate illumination.

“The road was opened to reduce the distance and traffic on the highway, but the authorities are yet to facilitate proper illumination on the stretch. As a result, we are forced to pass through the city despite congestion,” said Sourabh Sahoo, a commuter.

Local residents also alleged that the civic body often delayed the repairing of defunct street lights even on major thoroughfares. “Several street lights are not functioning at Acharya Vihar Square and Sainik School Square. Though we have been complaining for a long time, a number of street lights on the stretch are yet to be repaired,” said local resident Patitapaban Sahu. Mayor Anant Narayan Jena, however, said the civic body had taken up the repairing of defunct street lights on a priority basis.

CRATERS AND POOLS TO CROSS ON WAY TO RAILWAY STATION

While the state government and East Coast Railway (ECoR) are jointly planning a complete makeover of the city railway station in near future, people approaching
the station from both the ends are suffering because of potholes and lack of maintenance of the two roads. The Telegraph takes a look at these locations